Morning journal and courier., 1887-01-18
PRINCE CONSERVATIVES MAJORITY
The Royal Family or Greece In Public attcr Ir,.s..,,.s,.,s

The Royal Family Of Greece in Public
 Athens Letter to the Freeman's Journal.l
 The first sensation was caused by the arri- val of the maids of honor in Greek dress, a very lovely costume indeed the lovelier for it's simplicity of fold and line; a plain white material, broadly banded on skirt and jacket with red or blue velvet. The headdress was particularly graceful; white gauzy stuff ar ranged hemwise, with gold coins dropping from single band little above the fore head. The sound of martial music outside raised expectations on tiptoe, and the Arch
 bishop of Athens, supported by two bishops with long black veils, walked slowly down the carpeted nave, carrying candles and the gospel. This was to meet NJ. Triccupis, who kissed the Bible as he entered the church with the baby prince and his English nurse. Another flourish of music, and this time the archbishop went down the church steps and a tremendous burst of cheers rose from out side. The Qusen on the Kings arm came first, her long train and the princess held by two mice little boys'' in nice little uniforms. They wore the Greek dress, in which the Queen made very graceful presence. The Greeks consider her handsome, which she is not, but she looks eminently sweet and good.
 Her smile is most winning and benign, and she is justly reveTenced for her graciousness, simplicity and wide-reaching charity. The little touches of womanly affectionateness in the anecdotes told of her in her hospital ex- perience are really charming. Beside her the King is by no means a kingly presence. A refned-looking, bald gentleman, ill sub dued military uniform, with touch of SUD- pressed frivolity in his gravity, hint at a desire to laugh at the whole proceedings, balanced by fussy master-of ceremony anx- iety.
 The celebrity of the hour, young Prince Constantine, in infantry uniform, is 8 sinis- ter-1ooklng, pale, fat boy, ratker shy and re- served I should imagine, and not graceful in his present feshy. uniformed state. But high hopes are entertained of him, and those who have had opportunities of judging cor rectly assert that there is abundant promise of fulflluent. He is an ardent and thought ful student, clever and conscientious. The Greeks adore him at present because he is of their own religion and born in Greece, and make no effort to conceal the fact that they regard his unfortunate father as an incubus, and yearn passionately for the hour when they can salute their first genuine Greek King, Constantine I. After the beautiful singing of the Queens choir the prince gave his cap to his brother, and somewhat ner- vously and fussily pushed forward by the King, advanced to take the oath. He held the flag of Greece in one hand and placed the other on the table, and his voice rang clearly and steadily through the church, and he gave the book loud bourgeoise kiss that might have been heard on the steps outside. He then returned very composedly, kissed his father, to the great surprise of most of the foreigners, ignoring his mother, who was crying. and appeared in nowise moved by the single impressive cheer that greeted him.
 Outside the scene was beautiful. Lines of cavalry with magnificent generals riding up and down, flags and banners waving and mu- sic sounding. Indeed there were irresistible echoes from the circus in the style of music, an effect considerably heightened by the jockey appearance of the gentleman who ad- vanced with the Kings horse. The King be
 ing remarkably slight and agile when he sprang into the saddle, the white plumes of
 his soldiers cap waving gayly in the sun shine, and spurred kls horse to little gai- lant curvetting cirelewise about the empty space, the band playing the cheerful, accen- tuated music of the circus, the prince fol- lowing in the same manner, was reminded forcibly of 8 mock race on Hengler's saw dust. The Queen had already driven away in the sumptuous carriage made expressly for the occasion, and in 8 twinkling the heir ap l parent and his father disappeared from the bright scene, the King very prettily and gracefully keeping few paces behind the celebrity of the hour as not to have the appearance of claiming any of the honors oI the cheers. Yet it can scarcely have been 8 moment of unnixed pleasure for him to see his son, raw youth of eighteen, exciting an enthusiasm he has never excited enjoying 8 prospective popularity he has failed to ob-
 tain; be the king of 8 people who openly long to see his son in his place.
 It is not 6 bIissful position that of the King of Greece, as young Constantine will probably discover. A more jealous, fierce ly democratic race does not exist. and the only family in the country that cannot amuse itself and enjoy the commonest priv ileges of humanity, friendship and social intercourse is the royal family. Years ago
 oal fn rriv oh 1a ball, and at once public discussion arose on the question of royal extravaganza and the general impropriety of amusing the poor infant princes. Children's balls at the palace were discontinued in conse- quence As the selection of personal friends among his subjects, arousing thereby the
 jealousy and hatred of those who were not chosen, was one of the causes that led to the unlucky Otho's overthrow, his success ors have wisely decided to stand aloof from all, and neither visit nor invite any but distinguished foreigners to the palace. Every body who desires the honor can pro- cure an invitation to their two annual balls by simply inserting their names in the vis- itors' book. The crowd on the Place de la Constitution, where the procession passed, was immense, but a more good natured, courteous and more smiling crowd than the Greeks it would be impossible to find. A child might find it's way through the den sest throng unhurt, which fact is I believe due to the deficiency of high animal spir- it's in the men as we'll as their sobriety. Tells or violent horseplay, or vulgar joking are unknown to them, and they are inca pablo of finding pleasure in aimless person al cruelty. A Greek will take your life if your existence is in his way; but he will never kick or pinch, or torture women and children for the mere love of the thing. That is why they make such pleasant an1i orderly if enthusiastic gatherings.